The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) issued criticality and low power test permits to Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power unit (OL3), which means that the company can for the first time start a nuclear reaction in the new reactor.
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On 16 December 2021, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) issued criticality and low power test permits to Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power unit (OL3), which means that the company can for the first time start a nuclear reaction in the new reactor.
STUK will monitor the starting and low power tests of the reactor on site at Olkiluoto. TVO will gradually increase the power of the reactor. TVO will need separate permits from STUK to increase the power output to more than 5%, 30% and 60% of the reactor’s total output.
During the low power tests, the plant unit will not yet be synchronised with the national power grid. According to TVO, the unit will be connected to the national grid for the first time in January 2022. After that, preparations will be made for regular commercial production at full capacity, which is estimated to start in June 2022.
“We are now close to a moment when OL3 will begin to produce large amounts of emissions free domestic electricity which is sorely needed by our electrifying society. When it operates at full capacity, the plant can produce approximately 13 terawatt hours of electricity per year. This will significantly increase Finland’s self sufficiency in electricity. OL3 will increase the annual domestic electricity production to nearly 80 terawatt hours, which means that self sufficiency will rise to more than 90%,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.
“The most important thing with nuclear power is to ensure the safety of the power plant. Safety has not been compromised at any stage during the construction process and commissioning of OL3. As licence holder of the plant, TVO is responsible for its safety, while STUK is in charge of the supervision,” Lintilä adds.
Olkiluoto 3 is the first nuclear power plant in the world to have a fully designed and operational waste management system ready at the commissioning stage. The spent fuel of the unit will be placed in Posiva’s final disposal facility in Olkiluoto bedrock, which is the first of its kind in the world. ■